Two weeks ago we blogged about a new crowdfunding initiative that had been set up to help Andy Wightman fight accusations of alleged defamation (see here).

The response to his fundraiser was quite remarkable. Andy’s initial fundraising target was set at £10k, and this target was met within hours. Given the clear swell of public support, he ‘stretched’ the target and within 36 hours over £25k had been raised.

By the time the first hearing was heard in the Court of Session on 26 April 2017, over £30k had been raised. In court, Andy’s legal team pointed out that his pursuer, Wildcat Haven Enterprises CIC, appeared to have assets of less than £5k, so presiding judge Lord Uist agreed that a £50k ‘security bond’ had to be lodged by his pursuer for the case to proceed.

This afternoon, Andy has updated his supporters with the following statement:

As a consequence, a new crowdfunding target of £50,000 has been set and donations are rolling in again. If you’re not sure about contributing, it’s worth having a read of the comments that have been left on his crowdfunding webpage here.

I’m absolutely livid. Someone as thoughtful and able as Andy Wightman being sued for defamation? I don’t want to defame personally, but it is unbelievable that in 21st Century Scotland, that people (different people) can be anonymised by [Ed: thanks Alex, agree entirely, but we can’t publish it here]